Word Choice - ACT Reading
Card 1 of 30
What does 'ephemeral' mean?
What does 'ephemeral' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
Lasting for a very short time. From Greek meaning 'lasting only a day.'
Lasting for a very short time. From Greek meaning 'lasting only a day.'
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the word that best replaces 'sad' in formal writing.
Find the word that best replaces 'sad' in formal writing.
Tap to reveal answer
Melancholic. 'Melancholic' is formal, literary term for deep sadness.
Melancholic. 'Melancholic' is formal, literary term for deep sadness.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'elucidate' mean?
What does 'elucidate' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
To make something clear; explain. From Latin meaning 'to make light' or clarify.
To make something clear; explain. From Latin meaning 'to make light' or clarify.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the synonym for 'intricate'.
Find the synonym for 'intricate'.
Tap to reveal answer
Complex. Both mean having many interconnected parts or details.
Complex. Both mean having many interconnected parts or details.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'quintessential' mean?
What does 'quintessential' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
Representing the most perfect example. Represents the purest, most typical example possible.
Representing the most perfect example. Represents the purest, most typical example possible.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the antonym of 'expand'.
Identify the antonym of 'expand'.
Tap to reveal answer
Contract. Opposite actions: expand means grow, contract means shrink.
Contract. Opposite actions: expand means grow, contract means shrink.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'incongruous' mean?
What does 'incongruous' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
Not in harmony; out of place. Doesn't fit or match the surrounding context appropriately.
Not in harmony; out of place. Doesn't fit or match the surrounding context appropriately.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'ubiquitous' mean?
What does 'ubiquitous' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
Present or found everywhere. From Latin meaning 'everywhere' or 'at the same time.'
Present or found everywhere. From Latin meaning 'everywhere' or 'at the same time.'
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the more specific word: 'animal' or 'dog'?
Choose the more specific word: 'animal' or 'dog'?
Tap to reveal answer
Dog. 'Dog' specifies the type of animal more precisely.
Dog. 'Dog' specifies the type of animal more precisely.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the synonym for 'abundant'?
Find the synonym for 'abundant'?
Tap to reveal answer
Plentiful. Both mean existing in large quantities or amounts.
Plentiful. Both mean existing in large quantities or amounts.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the correct word: 'peek', 'peak', or 'pique' for looking quickly.
Choose the correct word: 'peek', 'peak', or 'pique' for looking quickly.
Tap to reveal answer
Peek. 'Peak' is highest point; 'pique' means to stimulate interest.
Peek. 'Peak' is highest point; 'pique' means to stimulate interest.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the correct word: 'capital' or 'capitol' for a government building.
Select the correct word: 'capital' or 'capitol' for a government building.
Tap to reveal answer
Capitol. 'Capital' refers to city, money, or uppercase letters.
Capitol. 'Capital' refers to city, money, or uppercase letters.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'nuance' mean in word choice?
What does 'nuance' mean in word choice?
Tap to reveal answer
A subtle difference in meaning. Small variations that add depth and complexity to meaning.
A subtle difference in meaning. Small variations that add depth and complexity to meaning.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the correct word: 'bare' or 'bear' for carrying a load.
Choose the correct word: 'bare' or 'bear' for carrying a load.
Tap to reveal answer
Bear. 'Bare' means uncovered or naked; 'bear' means to carry.
Bear. 'Bare' means uncovered or naked; 'bear' means to carry.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'juxtapose' mean?
What does 'juxtapose' mean?
Tap to reveal answer
To place side by side for comparison. Positioning elements together to highlight differences or similarities.
To place side by side for comparison. Positioning elements together to highlight differences or similarities.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the more formal word: 'kids' or 'children'?
Select the more formal word: 'kids' or 'children'?
Tap to reveal answer
Children. 'Children' is standard formal usage in academic writing.
Children. 'Children' is standard formal usage in academic writing.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the antonym of 'optimistic'.
Identify the antonym of 'optimistic'.
Tap to reveal answer
Pessimistic. Expects negative outcomes, opposite of hopeful outlook.
Pessimistic. Expects negative outcomes, opposite of hopeful outlook.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the synonym for 'abundant'?
Find the synonym for 'abundant'?
Tap to reveal answer
Plentiful. Both mean existing in large quantities or amounts.
Plentiful. Both mean existing in large quantities or amounts.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the word closest in meaning to “mitigate” in a neutral academic context.
Choose the word closest in meaning to “mitigate” in a neutral academic context.
Tap to reveal answer
Lessen. Mitigate means to reduce severity or negative impact.
Lessen. Mitigate means to reduce severity or negative impact.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary goal when choosing a word on ACT Reading: sound, length, or meaning in context?
What is the primary goal when choosing a word on ACT Reading: sound, length, or meaning in context?
Tap to reveal answer
Meaning in context. Words must fit the passage's intended meaning, not just sound good.
Meaning in context. Words must fit the passage's intended meaning, not just sound good.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the correct word: 'advice' or 'advise' for giving a recommendation.
Choose the correct word: 'advice' or 'advise' for giving a recommendation.
Tap to reveal answer
Advice. 'Advice' is the noun; 'advise' is the verb action.
Advice. 'Advice' is the noun; 'advise' is the verb action.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
Tap to reveal answer
'Affect' is a verb; 'effect' is a noun. Remember: affect = action (verb), effect = end result (noun).
'Affect' is a verb; 'effect' is a noun. Remember: affect = action (verb), effect = end result (noun).
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the correct word: 'Their/There/They're going to the store.'
Choose the correct word: 'Their/There/They're going to the store.'
Tap to reveal answer
They're. Contraction for 'they are' fits the sentence structure.
They're. Contraction for 'they are' fits the sentence structure.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does 'complement' mean in word choice?
What does 'complement' mean in word choice?
Tap to reveal answer
Enhance or complete something. Different from 'compliment' which means praise.
Enhance or complete something. Different from 'compliment' which means praise.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which word is correct: 'accept' or 'except' for inclusion?
Which word is correct: 'accept' or 'except' for inclusion?
Tap to reveal answer
Accept. 'Except' means excluding; 'accept' means to receive or agree.
Accept. 'Except' means excluding; 'accept' means to receive or agree.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct usage: 'fewer' or 'less' with countable nouns.
Identify the correct usage: 'fewer' or 'less' with countable nouns.
Tap to reveal answer
Fewer. Use 'fewer' for things you can count individually.
Fewer. Use 'fewer' for things you can count individually.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the meaning of 'ambiguous' in word choice?
What is the meaning of 'ambiguous' in word choice?
Tap to reveal answer
Open to more than one interpretation. Language that can be understood multiple ways creates confusion.
Open to more than one interpretation. Language that can be understood multiple ways creates confusion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Choose the word that indicates a comparison: 'than' or 'then'.
Choose the word that indicates a comparison: 'than' or 'then'.
Tap to reveal answer
Than. 'Then' indicates time sequence; 'than' shows comparison.
Than. 'Then' indicates time sequence; 'than' shows comparison.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct usage: 'principal' or 'principle' for a rule.
Identify the correct usage: 'principal' or 'principle' for a rule.
Tap to reveal answer
Principle. 'Principal' refers to a person; 'principle' is a fundamental rule.
Principle. 'Principal' refers to a person; 'principle' is a fundamental rule.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which word is correct in context: 'stationary' or 'stationery' for writing materials?
Which word is correct in context: 'stationary' or 'stationery' for writing materials?
Tap to reveal answer
Stationery. 'Stationary' means not moving; 'stationery' is paper goods.
Stationery. 'Stationary' means not moving; 'stationery' is paper goods.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →